this one off the coast of Texas tonight. Two ships colliding as they crossed a busy shipping channel. One of those ships, a barge carrying a million gallons of oil. And these aerial images tonight showing the light-colored sheen there, that's the oil. One of those giant drums rupturing on board the barge. Of course, the environmental worries now and the traffic jam on the water. Cruise ships held at bay, passengers stranded. ABC's Mike Boettcher is on the scene for us tonight. Reporter: Crews working overnight and into today scrambling to contain oil that spilled into the Houston ship channel, when a barge collided with a ship near galveston bay. One of six tanks on that barge breached. The tank, carrying 168,000 gallons of oil. Tonight, it's still unclear how much oil is in the water. Containment booms were deployed to keep the spill from spreading. Oil in the galveston bay is something that will continue for a little while. Reporter: The Houston ship channel remains closed, impacting one of the busiest sea shipping routes in America. Cruise lines delaying departures. Passengers stranded. They told us we're delayed until probably tomorrow. We got to get rooms now. Reporter: Officials are also concerned about a potentially devastating environmental impact. Galveston bay is home to wild life sanctuaries and attracts 70,000 shore birds. This is the peak of their migration season. Some good news. Port officials say the remaining oil on the damaged barge has been transferred off the vessel, averting an even larger spill. The port of galveston will not reopen today, but officials say they will consider allowing cruise ships to dock on a case by case basis. David? Mike Boettcher tonight in galveston. Mike, thank you.

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